55 Wisdom Statements From A New 55 Year Old

August 7, 2023

I celebrated my 55th birthday a few days ago. It was surreal to do the math and figure out that was the number! It seemed a bit more daunting in some regards than the Big 5-0 which is the traditional milestone. Perhaps it is because I am now officially starting to crowd 60! The whole time when I still think I am 35!

As I continue to soften into me over the years, I am grateful for all the years with the realization that time is ticking and the clock could stop at any time. It is not a fatalistic thought pattern. It is just me understanding the frailty of life for me and those around me.

What have I learned or remembered along this last year of my Life journey which stands out to me?

Here goes….

1. Time in nature is therapeutic. I am better outside than inside. Mother Nature is glorious.

2. Disconnecting from constant stimulation is paramount. Spending less time on technology has been soul-enriching and has given me more time to do living things.

3. It’s okay if not everyone likes you.

4. Do what is right even if people tell you it’s wrong or you are going against the grain.

5. Appreciate the other side of the story.

6. In some areas of my life I am more mature than in other areas. That is okay. I am a work in progress.

7. Mistakes are okay. Everything is relative.

8. The story we tell ourselves about a situation makes a big difference in how we deal with the situation.

9. It is important to just accept something for what it is. You don’t always have to change something about yourself to fit into someone’s else idea of who you should be.

10. I love being in service to people.

11. Listen as your only intent in the interaction. Don’t listen to respond.

12. Boundaries are fine but one has to also learn to accept people’s imperfections and work with them. In that, perhaps the word "boundaries" is a self-help buzzword and seems harsh. Seek harmony instead of having a boundary.

13. Cherish the simple moments

14. Be vulnerable with people.

15. I can’t control how people interpret what I say or do. I know I have good intent.

16. Disagreement is okay, it is walking away without a conversation that is not okay.

17. Honour your intuition.

18. Some people will continue to have a personal bias against me that is hell-bent on misunderstanding me. Even if that is painful, I can't control this.

19. Grieving has many layers.

20. Look for people who will be cheerleaders in your life. The ones who challenge you to be better but yet support you when you are in a low period.

21. Keep an open mind but also stand for what you deeply believe in.

22. I will be a different person each day of my life. Maybe that’s the point.

23. Being a devil’s advocate is okay.

24. Taking a risk doesn’t guarantee success.

25. It’s okay to express how I feel.

26. Having expectations can lead to disappointment or having people let me down. Have expectations anyway.

27. Life is not linear. It is a curvy and hilly ride.

28. Don’t wait for things to be perfect before you take the first step.

29. There is more than one path to where you want to go in life.

30. If something is difficult, it doesn’t mean it is impossible.

31. Your dreams don’t happen if you don’t work toward them.

32. Consume content that is outside the box. This broadens your perspective and helps make you be not like everyone else.

33. Always be open to learning.

34. Don’t hide behind excuses.

35. Everyone has flaws. This does not mean you are flawed as a person.

36. The storms in my life have defined me.

37. Look for people that encourage you and who don’t judge you to the point of breaking you down with no intent to help build you up.

38. Look for relationships that are reciprocal but remember that each person will have their individual strengths that they will bring to the table.

39. Take care of your gut health.

40. Control your stress. This usually comes from subtracting not adding.

41. Eat some protein within two hours of waking.

42. Celebrate yourself every day, don’t minimize your greatness. You really are great.

43. Say “thank you” when you receive a compliment. Don't downplay the comment.

44. Let life unfold before you rather than trying to control the details.

45. Time doesn’t heal all wounds.

46. Let kids be kids.

47. People will believe what they want as a way to justify what they do.

48. My favourite places are when I am with my favourite people.

49. Don’t take things personally.

50. Live your life without caring if anyone knows about it and approves of it. You do you.

51. Trust is the most important thing.

52. Advocate for your own health. Don’t expect others to do that for you. You are your own responsibility.

53. The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence.

54. Don’t expect that everyone has your back, even if they say they do.

55. Be kind to people. Even if it is not reciprocated.

Well, those are the things that come to mind this year. There are more in my head but I am only 55 years old this year so will stop at fifty-five wisdom statements. :)

I hope that this resonates with you regardless of your age!

Thank you for reading!